News archive

September 4: Three year report card

Three years to the day since the first big earthquake struck Canterbury, how do you rate progress? How confident are you in plans for the future?

The death of resilience by 1000 paper cuts

Do I need to even say it?

'I don't give a toss about the Town Hall'

I am cold. I am tired. I am frustrated. My government has forgotten me and my insurance company is slower than snails racing through peanut butter.

Three years on: Aftershocks made me leave

Port Hills announcement delay frustrating but necessary

The chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Roger Sutton, says the delay in announcing the outcome of the Port Hills zoning review is frustrating but necessary.

Council scotches Manchester Street cleanup attempt

Council staff took the posters down saying that prostitution is not illegal but declared the posters themselves, illegal.

Council scotches Manchester St cleanup attempt

Councillor Aaron Keown’s latest attempt to clean up Manchester Street between Bealey Avenue and Edgeware Road came to an end when city council staff took down his posters. The Papanui Shirley Board community board member had tied a number of posters to lamp-posts saying “no street workers” and then listing a number of laws that […]

Red Cross transports carless residents

The Red Cross has started a transport service for those physically unable to use public transport or financially unable to visit a doctor or meet with EQC staff. The service, which requires a referral from a community organisation or similar, can also be used to enable the resident to participate in social or community events. […]

EQConnects - August 2013

Cranford Street frontages to shrink

Arrow wins major Chch rebuild project

Arrow International (NZ) Ltd has secured the largest commercial project to come to market since the Christchurch rebuild began.

'Make safe' work to be carried out on Heathcote Voluntary Library

Final days to see popular exhibition

Time is running out for people to see a free exhibition of works by some of the country’s best photographers.

Experts slam Chch transport proposals

Transport experts are slamming proposals to improve a high capacity Christchurch arterial road, Curletts Road, saying the move is old-school 1980s-style transport planning and is not consistent with modern cities.

Random Acts Of Kindness Day Christchurch, September 1st 2013

Mayoral Candidate Paul Lonsdale launches Website & Facebook

“I cried - it was so beautiful!”

7.3 Earthquake North Canterbury 1 Sep 1888

Many still struggle with quake impact

The Press asked its readers this week to tell us about their lives three years on from the September, 4, 2010, earthquake. This is an abridged version of what they told us.

Pre-quake issues still linger

Insurance and the Earthquake Commission (EQC) continue to stress and frustrate Cantabrians on the third anniversary of the September 4 earthquake, but it is surprising how many issues pre-dating the first earthquake still trouble the city.

Banner makes landlord's frustration clear

A Christchurch landlord has made his frustrations with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and insurance company IAG clear.

EQC has paid $6b in claims

Insurance and the Earthquake Commission (EQC) continue to stress and frustrate Cantabrians on the third anniversary of the September 4 earthquake, but it is surprising how many issues pre-dating the first earthquake still trouble the city.

Residents encouraged to comment on Curletts Road proposals

Christchurch residents have until this Friday (6 September) to comment on the NZ Transport Agency’s options to improve traffic congestion along Curletts Road, between Blenheim Road and Main South Road.

Colombo Street from Bealey Ave south restored to two way

The wastewater repair work on Colombo Street is now complete and two way traffic has been reinstated. Final reinstatement work will continue over the next month however this work should not have any additional impact on road users or residents. …

Bitter: 'If I could leave Chch I would'

3 years ago I think we were on a pretty good high, on no-one was critically injured and we all swapped stories saying wow we survived a major earthquake.

'If I could leave Chch I would'

Three years ago I thought we were on a pretty good high - no-one was critically injured and we all swapped stories saying wow, we survived a major earthquake.

Multimillion-dollar project set to start

Arrow International (NZ) has secured project management of one of the largest commercial projects to come to market since the Christchurch rebuild began, the company said today.

Christchurch 'better than ever'

Christchurch is an exciting place to be right now. There is a growing sense of anticipation for what the new CBD will look like. There is construction and destruction work happening everywhere.

Three years on: Liquefaction taught us a lot

Interactive map reveals Christchurch's post-quake progress

Progress on how a post-disaster Christchurch is likely to look has been tracked with an online, interactive map.

Reminder – Heathcote Bridge closure this weekend -CHANGE TO CLOSURE TIMES

Motorists are reminded that the Heathcote River Bridge on State Highway 76 will be closed to traffic again this weekend as part of the scheduled works until mid October. NOTE: THE CLOSURE TIMES WILL VARY FROM PREVIOUS WEEKENDS.   CLOSURE …

Fendalton Road intersection to close

Motorists are advised Holmwood Road will close mid this month at the intersection of Fendalton Road and Queens Avenue for up to seven weeks.

Fendalton Road intersection with Holmwood Road to close mid September

Motorists are advised Holmwood Road will close mid this month at the intersection of Fendalton Road and Queens Avenue for up to seven weeks. There will be no access from Holmwood Road into Fendalton Road or from Queens Avenue into …

Weekend detour over Heathcote River Bridge from 13 September

Motorists are advised the Heathcote River Bridge on State Highway 76 will be closed to all traffic for up to eight weekends (non-consecutive) between next Friday 13 September and the 13 December.

Multi-storey building jacked up for repairs

When Greg Tudor took an ''educated risk'' in hoisting his building off the ground for earthquake repairs, he had no idea the multi-million dollar operation was going to work.

Mood check: Three years since Sept 4

Wednesday will mark three years since a terrifying magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook Canterbrians out of their beds at 4.35am on September 4.

Day 922 - our leaders

Christchurch Mayoralty Campaign Launch Speech

Lianne Dalziel – One City Together – Christchurch Mayoralty Campaign Launch

WeCan asks for full community engagement from prospective Mayor, Lianne Dalziel

WeCan believes communities need to be listened to and engaged so good decisions are made for our city. Without effective and meaningful input from local communities the real issues are often not addressed.

1000 building consents get sign-off

Canterbury's residential rebuild may finally be in full swing.

Heritage tourism survives in Christchurch

Some parts of Christchurch's heritage tourism trail may have disappeared off the map but the city centre can still capture the hearts of visitors, some operators say.

SCIRT – Work Schedule until December 2013

SCIRT have released information regarding works they will be completing over the next 6 months. To download a PDF of this information please click here or to find more detailed information on indervidual sites please visit SCIRT’s website.  

Builder keen to 'box on'

A Christchurch entrepreneur has created an innovative system to make the "worst part" of a builder's job easier and faster.

Entrepreneur's faster, easier way of building

A Christchurch entrepreneur has created an innovative system to make the "worst part" of a builder's job easier and faster.

20,000 people for city centre?

The Government wants 20,000 residents living in Christchurch's inner city - and is formulating a plan to achieve it.

Day 922 - website readership grows again

The visits to this continues to grow, with 13,222 page views for August.

A lot of the visits seem to be coming via facebook discussions and debates.

Residents play part updating Chch Google Maps

The lack of a decent online map of Christchurch has been one of the great frustrations for residents after the earthquakes.

Day 921 - open letter to Phil Clearwater

Dear Phil

Thank you for organising a meeting which allowed Mike Peters to address the queries of residents Opawa about the planned use of Addington Action’s Depot in Garlands Road. The following points were clarified during the meeting and in subsequent conversations.
This query came from a misunderstanding about a map on the blog site. The two locations marked in Opawa refer to Opawa School and Opawa Community Church where Opawa residents had explored the possibility o ...

Last day for flat land red zone offers

Saturday is the final day for those living on flat land in residential red zone in Christchurch to accept Government offers on their properties and move out of their homes.

Strong quake hits near Christchurch

A strong 4.3 magnitude earthquake has shaken Christchurch.

Town hall vote timing queried

Christchurch's potential new leaders are split over whether the decision to restore the earthquake- damaged town hall should have been left until after this year's local body elections.

Christchurch at risk of losing CBD

If you haven't visited Christchurch since the earthquakes, when you do go back you'll notice how much the CBD has changed.

Captain Lorraine’s Final Fatal Balloon Ascent

Captain Lorriane Loses his Life The Balloon Carried out to Sea A Terrible Fall. The Aeronaut Drowned, Fruitless Search for his Body. Star, Issue 6633, 3 November 1899, Page 4 Not one of the thousand spectators who gathered at Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon to witness the balloon ascent of Captain Lorraine would willingly pass through a period of such awful anxiety and suspense as that which then fell to their lot. It is thrilling and exciting enough, in all conscience, to watch an intrepid a ...

'Feeding frenzy' drives thefts

Desperate rebuild workers struggling to break into the Christchurch market are being blamed for stealing diggers, trucks and other high-value equipment to take advantage of a construction industry "feeding frenzy".

Outcast appeal date set

Christchurch red-zoners challenging their buyout offers will be back in court in October.

Three-year deadline for city assets

Practically all of Christchurch's most important facilities - such as libraries and pools - will be open by 2016, council bosses say.

'Feeding frenzy' drives thefts

Desperate rebuild workers struggling to break into the Christchurch market are being blamed for stealing diggers, trucks and other high-value equipment to take advantage of a construction industry "feeding frenzy".

Three-year deadline for city assets

Practically all of Christchurch's most important facilities - such as libraries and pools - will be open by 2016, council bosses say.

'Feeding frenzy' drives thefts

Desperate rebuild workers struggling to break into the Christchurch market are being blamed for stealing diggers, trucks and other high-value equipment to take advantage of a construction industry "feeding frenzy".

The year Christchurch reclaims cool

Christchurch hasn't had much reason to celebrate over the last three years.